Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has split with his Pussycat Doll girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger.

The pair, who got together shortly after meeting at MTV Europe Awards in Munich in November 2007, released a joint statement saying they want to put their careers first.

Their rep said: “They have decided to go their separate ways. They want to focus fully on their careers and will remain close friends.”

31-year-old Scherzinger, who once described 25-year-old Hamilton as her “soulmate”, was often seen cheering Lewis on in the sidelines of Formula One races.

Hamilton faces a tough season ahead with Jenson Button as his new McLaren team-mate and Michael Schumacher making a Formula One comeback with Mercedes.

(by Scott Colothan)